LAND-KAIL. 391 



The present autumn (1869), as above stated, has 

 been exceptional in tlie number of land-rails killed in 

 various parts of the county. Between the 1st and 7th of 

 September Mr. Gerard Barton, of Fundenhall, shot four 

 in that neighbourhood, where he had not previously 

 met with any during several years. Two wei^ killed 

 with a right and left shot at Haj^ton, by Mr. T. H. 

 Edwards, and some seven or eight specimens were 

 brought in to our birdstuffers. The reputation, how- 

 ever, of this bird as a delicacy for the table renders the 

 number thus preserved a poor criterion as to the amount 

 actually killed. 



I have, on several occasions, been shown the eggs 

 of the land-rail taken in Norfolk, but the nests are rarely 

 found unless mown out ; and on the 9th of June, 1864, 

 I saw eight Httle ones in their long black down, and 

 two eggs which had been taken in a grass field on the 

 Kimberley estate, near Wymondham. One of the old 

 birds was also killed accidentally by the scythe, as not 

 unfrequently happens. In 1862 a single bird was killed 

 near Norwich, on the 12th of October; and in 1864 

 three were killed in one day as late as the 25th, but 

 these are exceptional cases, as also a bird of the year, 

 shot on the 30th of November, 1855 ; and one recorded 

 by Yarrell, as killed near Yarmouth, in January,* 1836. 

 It seems marvellous that a bird so reluctant to take 

 wing, and when flushed pursuing so slow and lagging 



which, weighed eight ounces and a half. Pennant remarks, " on 

 their arrival they are very lean, weighing only six ounces, but 

 before they leave this island grow so fat as to weigh above eight 

 ounces. 



* In the "Field" of June 3rd, 1865, Dr. Biee gives an inter- 

 esting accoiint of three land-rails which he kept in confinement, 

 one of which lived throughout the winter when turned loose in a 

 walled-in garden, showing that this species when properly fed is 

 not affected by our frosts and snow, but will thrive if allowed a 

 certain amount of freedom. 



